Compact Vegetable and Fruit Washer

Abstract

A two-part, fold-up vegetable and fruit washing device with a removable lid. The bottom and lid take the form of a standard plastic, or other material, lidded container. The middle part is a pop-out strainer that holds the vegetable or fruit being washed or rinsed. The strainer in the middle part can pop out to strain, or can pop into a folded, flat configuration for storage. In the folded configuration, the middle part is placed in the bottom part, and the lid is put in place. The folded device takes up no more room than a normal plastic lidded container typically found in kitchens.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A food washing device comprising:
 a lower bowl section;   a middle strainer section;   a lid;   wherein the middle strainer section fits into the bowl section, and the lid fits on the bowl section with the middle strainer section installed;   wherein, the middle strainer section comprises an outer ring with an attached inner strainer, the inner strainer having a plurality of holes; and   wherein, the middle strainer section has a folded configuration with the inner strainer at a level approximately that of the ring, and an unfolded configuration with the inner strainer popped down to a level below that of the ring;   wherein, the device in the unfolded configuration with the bowl section, the middle strainer section and the lid assembled, is liquid tight;   whereby, in the unfolded configuration food may be placed in the inner strainer for washing, serving and storage, and in the folded configuration, the device may be stored.   
     
     
         2 . The food washing device of  claim 1  wherein the bowl section is plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The food washing device of  claim 2  wherein the plastic is transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The food washing device of  claim 1  wherein the lid is plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The food washing device of  claim 1  wherein the ring is rubber; 
     
     
         6 . The food washing device of  claim 1  wherein the strainer is rigid plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The food washing device of  claim 1  wherein the strainer moves from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration using the ring as a hinge. 
     
     
         8 . A three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer comprising, in combination a bowl, a lid and a middle section, that fit together to form a liquid tight container, wherein the middle section comprises a rubber ring attached as a hinge to a plastic strainer, the plastic strainer having a plurality of holes large enough to pass dirt and contaminants and small enough to not pass food being washed, wherein, the strainer is configured to pop along the ring from a folded configuration to an unfolded configuration, wherein, in the unfolded configuration, the strainer extends into the bowl. 
     
     
         9 . The three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer of  claim 8  wherein the bowl section is plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer of  claim 9  wherein the plastic is transparent. 
     
     
         11 . The three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer of  claim 8  wherein the lid is plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer of  claim 8  wherein the ring is rubber; 
     
     
         13 . The three-part, foldable vegetable and fruit washer of  claim 8  wherein the strainer is rigid plastic. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing a food washing device comprising:
 providing a lower bowl section;   providing a middle strainer section;   providing a lid; wherein the middle strainer section fits into the bowl section, and the lid fits on the bowl section with the middle strainer section installed;   providing the middle strainer section with an outer ring with an attached inner strainer, the inner strainer having a plurality of holes; wherein, the middle strainer section has a folded configuration with the inner strainer at a level approximately that of the ring, and an unfolded configuration with the inner strainer popped out to a level below that of the ring, wherein the ring acts as a hinge.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the bowl section is plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the plastic is transparent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the lid is plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the ring is rubber; 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the strainer is rigid plastic.